I've been offered good deals on any number of shares in startups---as low as 500 shares---the co needs a minumum amount of new investors, i think in last case it was 200--complete with names and address, for exchange listing.
For the life of me, I can't figure out why you people don't buy exchange listed stocks--I'm currently bidding on a calgary jr @.16 canadian. It's listed on van, fully reporting, about 500mm o/s, currently testing an offset of prev drilled well that flowed 3mm feet, gonna drill another one, got 4mm$ in the bank, at least half a dozen legit, ongoing prospects. WTF do you want to screw around with pinkies for??!!